At the half: No. 18 Marquette on fire against No. 16 Pitt

This is the biggest game of the year so far for the Golden Eagles . . . and they are playing like it.

Making their shots and playing defense, No. 18 Marquette is all over No. 16 Pitt, 42-29.

The Golden Eagles are playing better than they have at any point this seaon. The Bradley Center crowd is larger and livier than it has been this season.

Vander Blue has made 6 of 7 shots and has 14 points. Jamil Wilson has eight off the bench.

The Golden Eagles are shootng 61.5% against a really good team. The Panthers are shooting just 39.3%.

Marquette had two turnovers in the first four minutes but quickly cleaned things up. They have just five turnovers against 12 assists at the break as Buzz Williams has gone 10 deep in the rotation, blitzing the Panthers at every chance.

About Michael Hunt

Michael Hunt is a former sports columnist and reporter for the Journal Sentinel.